Many watches are labeled “classics,” but let’s be honest, the status is something that a watch has to earn fair and square. It’s relatively certain that 9 out of 10 watch enthusiasts would grant this title to the Rolex Datejust without question. The first Datejust, the ref. 4467, appeared in 1945 with a date display on its dial. Released in celebration of the brand’s 40th anniversary, the watch combined all the Rolex milestones achieved up to that point in a single case. The watch boasted a watertight Oyster case, an automatic movement, and an automatically changing date display. What more could you want? This watch has now been on the market for over 70 years, and it’s currently the best selling watch on Chrono24.
In this video, we’ll explore what has changed since the very first Datejust, which features are most important, and the probable reasons for this watch’s lasting success.
We’re curious, which Datejust reference is your favorite? A “pre-Quickset” version from the 70s or a more modern variation with a Quickset date and sapphire glass? Let us know in the YouTube comments!
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